> The phrase "ad hominem" is and always has been short for
> "argumentum ad hominem". Now argumentum derives from the
> verb arguo meaning to show, to argue, to prove, to appeal
> (as to reason) and the noun suffix -mentum. Thus it can
> mean variously in English a showing, a proof, an appeal,
> an argument. Now ad is a simple preposition meaning to.
> Finally hominem is the accusative (required by ad) of the
> noun homo meaning human. Thus "argumentum ad hominem" is
> best translated to English in this context as "appeal to
> the human".

> In other words, trying to convince or persuade
> another *by appealing to their human nature*.